Sunday 01 Nov
Day 14 on the hill today. Left the kids at home and shared the ride and gas money with Gareth. Fine bluebird day but a cool wind on the chairs.
The Giant chair was operating due to the excess walk up crowd which was great because it allowed me to warm up thru the Why Not and Boneyard before my virgin assult on the upper mountain. It was a little bit crusty but not super icey with some patches of softer snow to be found.
After 4 or 5 runs up and down the giant I met up with CS and OS at the giant cafe and they followed me down the 'giant' run and declared me ready to move up. They were even talking about throwing me down a black run so I was alittle nervous but trusting of my alpine guides :)
So up the High Noon we went, and what an awesome chair that is. 6 seater detachable chair with padded sets and a foot rest. First run was down vertigo which definitly had a steeper pitch to it than either the Boneyard or The Why Nots but it was a bit choppy and cut up. Still I survived it no worries and then we were off up the High Noon again and across the high traverse track to the Branch Line Advance run. This was steeper again but nice and smooth with the snow just starting to release. Now this run was exceptional. Very fast and steep with tight carves the order of the day to scrub off the excess speed. We then headed off trail thru this wonderfall run that didn't have the slope of the Branch Line but the snow was superb as I opened up and carved down to the cat track which then required a small hike back to The Boneyard. The it was back up the Giant, down through yahoo and back up the High Noon for another run through the Branch Line and the lovely off piste run.
Back at the Giant cafe I waited for Gareth to work his way back up so we could complete the day with a couple of runs down to the Giant chair. He was moving alittle quicker but still painfully slow so I just mucked around searching out some smooth snow to turn on while he worked his way down to the chair. The lower half was now getting a little mushy and sticky which wasn't nearly as much fun as the fast snow further up.
2 more runs then back through Clarrys and we were heading home. In less than 3 months I have moved from the nursery slopes to my first advance run. The next thing is a decent pair of boots and a slighly longer board. But with only one weekend left I'll leave that for a few months.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Labour Weekend Bluebirds and a stolen stick.
Sunday 25th October
Day 12 on the Mountain for the session. Hauled both kids out of bed at 05:30am to be in the Turoa carpark by 09.20am. Was meeting Gareth at the Alpine Meadow who was there with his 2 kids with a day of tag team planned so we could all make the most conditions. I had booked a next step lesson for my daughter at 12:00 which coincided nicely with Gareth who also had a 12 oclock lesson from the top of the Movenpick. So Murphy and I headed straight up the Movenpick which stopped at least 5 times on the way up, once for as long as 5 minutes! Finally at the top we skated behind the High Noon and headed down the Boneyard. The snow was softening up by now and I found a sweet spot on the eastern side of the boneyard, along the bowl wall. It was like riding a frozen wave enabling me to do forehand bottom turns and slashes all the way along. One of my best runs yet through there with Murphy carving nicely and not far behind at all. There was a bit of a wait at the Giant but soon enough we were unloading and heading down the Why Not. Again, the snow condition was nice and buttery as we carved our way all the way back to the base area. Through Clarrys Track I looked for any mogul or frozen lip I could slash off. Was sick!
A quick bit to eat and Gareth was off for his lesson and I organised Floss and Erin for theres. Their instructor - Matt was awesome and had them all turning and sliding down the AM like pros. I sent Murphy up the hill to do a further run while I waited for Gareth, who turned up 5 minutes later. So off I went hoping to catch up with Murf.
I travelled up the 'Pick' with a father and daughter combo but didn't see Murphy anywhere so I decided to do the standard Boneyard down to the Giant run. The daughter of the combo - Abby was quite a character and as I was seeking out my frozen wall on the boneyard she appears whooping it up. I decide I'd better make my turns fast so as not to hold her up but it didn't seem to matter how quick I was everytime I looked back she was there grinning away.
At the Giant chair Abby asked me where I was going to next as we boarded. I explained I'd be heading down the Why Not / Boneyard and Clarrys back to the base area. She agreed this was the run and that she would follow me down. So once again I was faced with trying to carve as fast as I could with a grinning 8 yo skier glued to my path. I actually did pretty well and steamed down the WN and Boneyard but she was always there pushing me and then she zipped away from me down Clarrys track.
And that was Sunday! Gareth headed up for one more run and I spent way to much on food for the grommets at the base cafe. But everyone was stoked.
Monday 26th October (Day 13)
Monday was forecast to a bit ave but dawned clear and blue with only a wisp of cloud hanging around the Mountain. I had the kids changed, the car packed and we were heading for 'Kune just after 7.30am and into the carpark and changed ready to go by 8:45. The Alpine Meadow magic carpet was running so we were off.
This was Florence's first time on a fast icy run since her second day on the snow and although it required a good 'pizza' all the way down she didn't fall and raced to the bottom. There was enough firmness to the snow that I was able to slide down with her, practising my carves and turns. I was actually a little casual and caught an edge on one run that biffed me into the ice. Ouch!!! No respect got me no respect. Note to self ... if its icy don't act the fool!
We waited for Gareth to appear so he good baby sit the kids and Murf and I headed up the Pick for the standard run down to the Giant. It was pretty slick and icy but still heaps of fun as we raced down the Boneyard and Why Nots.
After returning to the base area and enjoying a cup of hot chips from the cafe Gareth and I were set to do a couple of trails together but holy shit ... someone had taken my board! I had put both Murphy's and my board on a rack andyet only one remained. I was spewing!!! In the end had to hire a board so decided to try out a 155 which turned out to be fat and heavy. The extra length was nice and stable in a straight line but harder to turn and the edge just didn't seem to bite in like my 150. It also seemed to want to flick out with the tail rather than holding an edge. After 2 runs i'd had enough and headed back to the base area thinking of the insurance forms I would need to fill in.
We left at 2.30 and i decided to have one last look through the racks and wtf do you know there was my stick sitting on a rack. I never thought I be so pleased to see her again and i was glad to hand back the hire board. Thankfully with my returned board the long weekend was a success. Florence must have done 60 trips up and down the Alpine Meadow and she shed a few tears coz she just didn't want to leave.
Day 12 on the Mountain for the session. Hauled both kids out of bed at 05:30am to be in the Turoa carpark by 09.20am. Was meeting Gareth at the Alpine Meadow who was there with his 2 kids with a day of tag team planned so we could all make the most conditions. I had booked a next step lesson for my daughter at 12:00 which coincided nicely with Gareth who also had a 12 oclock lesson from the top of the Movenpick. So Murphy and I headed straight up the Movenpick which stopped at least 5 times on the way up, once for as long as 5 minutes! Finally at the top we skated behind the High Noon and headed down the Boneyard. The snow was softening up by now and I found a sweet spot on the eastern side of the boneyard, along the bowl wall. It was like riding a frozen wave enabling me to do forehand bottom turns and slashes all the way along. One of my best runs yet through there with Murphy carving nicely and not far behind at all. There was a bit of a wait at the Giant but soon enough we were unloading and heading down the Why Not. Again, the snow condition was nice and buttery as we carved our way all the way back to the base area. Through Clarrys Track I looked for any mogul or frozen lip I could slash off. Was sick!
A quick bit to eat and Gareth was off for his lesson and I organised Floss and Erin for theres. Their instructor - Matt was awesome and had them all turning and sliding down the AM like pros. I sent Murphy up the hill to do a further run while I waited for Gareth, who turned up 5 minutes later. So off I went hoping to catch up with Murf.
I travelled up the 'Pick' with a father and daughter combo but didn't see Murphy anywhere so I decided to do the standard Boneyard down to the Giant run. The daughter of the combo - Abby was quite a character and as I was seeking out my frozen wall on the boneyard she appears whooping it up. I decide I'd better make my turns fast so as not to hold her up but it didn't seem to matter how quick I was everytime I looked back she was there grinning away.
At the Giant chair Abby asked me where I was going to next as we boarded. I explained I'd be heading down the Why Not / Boneyard and Clarrys back to the base area. She agreed this was the run and that she would follow me down. So once again I was faced with trying to carve as fast as I could with a grinning 8 yo skier glued to my path. I actually did pretty well and steamed down the WN and Boneyard but she was always there pushing me and then she zipped away from me down Clarrys track.
And that was Sunday! Gareth headed up for one more run and I spent way to much on food for the grommets at the base cafe. But everyone was stoked.
Monday 26th October (Day 13)
Monday was forecast to a bit ave but dawned clear and blue with only a wisp of cloud hanging around the Mountain. I had the kids changed, the car packed and we were heading for 'Kune just after 7.30am and into the carpark and changed ready to go by 8:45. The Alpine Meadow magic carpet was running so we were off.
This was Florence's first time on a fast icy run since her second day on the snow and although it required a good 'pizza' all the way down she didn't fall and raced to the bottom. There was enough firmness to the snow that I was able to slide down with her, practising my carves and turns. I was actually a little casual and caught an edge on one run that biffed me into the ice. Ouch!!! No respect got me no respect. Note to self ... if its icy don't act the fool!
We waited for Gareth to appear so he good baby sit the kids and Murf and I headed up the Pick for the standard run down to the Giant. It was pretty slick and icy but still heaps of fun as we raced down the Boneyard and Why Nots.
After returning to the base area and enjoying a cup of hot chips from the cafe Gareth and I were set to do a couple of trails together but holy shit ... someone had taken my board! I had put both Murphy's and my board on a rack andyet only one remained. I was spewing!!! In the end had to hire a board so decided to try out a 155 which turned out to be fat and heavy. The extra length was nice and stable in a straight line but harder to turn and the edge just didn't seem to bite in like my 150. It also seemed to want to flick out with the tail rather than holding an edge. After 2 runs i'd had enough and headed back to the base area thinking of the insurance forms I would need to fill in.
We left at 2.30 and i decided to have one last look through the racks and wtf do you know there was my stick sitting on a rack. I never thought I be so pleased to see her again and i was glad to hand back the hire board. Thankfully with my returned board the long weekend was a success. Florence must have done 60 trips up and down the Alpine Meadow and she shed a few tears coz she just didn't want to leave.
It just keeps getting better
Monday 19th of October
I had planned on getting up the hill on Sunday but the weather had turned to poop and Turoa was closed. I had taken Monday off so Murphy and I headed up to the hill starting out at 6:25am. We got the auto txt at 06:45 telling us that the Mt was open and conditions were good. Another Bluebird day on the way!
Pulling into the carpark at 10:15 we were greeted with a light breeze and clearing skys. 4 rows from the front meant a crowdless day and 2cm of fresh snow over night meant Freshies for all.
We started out taking our normal route up the Movenpick, skate across and behind the High Noon and down the Boneyard. The top of the Boneyard had these weird snow rocks that was like riding over marbles. You had to commit yourself to just riding through them at speed but Murf was struggling and took a nasty fall on his toe edge, throwing him over the highside into a cartwheel. No damage to the body but confidence was shattered. I however found my confidence was soaring as I carved my way down the boneyard, flicking it left and right with ease.
Then it was up the Giant for 5 runs down the Why Not. It was lovely and soft and I found some fresh snow just to the left of the Jumbo T. My first true Fresh Tracks and I slashed my way through there, using the exposed rocks as a slalom course. I was also searching out small lips and rises to bounce off doing forehand slashes that were like surfing on a twin fin!
Last Sunday was the best snow condition I have ever had but today was the best I have ridden and only my low on confidence son was holding me back.
As the sun worked on the hardpack we decided to take a run down the upper freeway which had some uncharted snow to the right just beforfe the High Noon. The snow had released and this run was a flat out racetrack. Skipping around the High Noon and back down the Boneyarrd I had a smile a mile wide. Murphy too was feeling better by this time and wasn't too far behind me. We found freshies on either side of the groomies and just seemed I could go as fast as I dared. Very few people were zooming past me and I really felt I was now in full control.
If the season was to end here I would hang up my board until July next year and live on the last 2 days at Turoa. BUT with 3 weeks still to go I can see at least another 3 days at Ruapehu.
Monday with #2 offspring is now planned. It won't be a day I will get to make many turns but I want one more day on my own before season end.
I had planned on getting up the hill on Sunday but the weather had turned to poop and Turoa was closed. I had taken Monday off so Murphy and I headed up to the hill starting out at 6:25am. We got the auto txt at 06:45 telling us that the Mt was open and conditions were good. Another Bluebird day on the way!
Pulling into the carpark at 10:15 we were greeted with a light breeze and clearing skys. 4 rows from the front meant a crowdless day and 2cm of fresh snow over night meant Freshies for all.
We started out taking our normal route up the Movenpick, skate across and behind the High Noon and down the Boneyard. The top of the Boneyard had these weird snow rocks that was like riding over marbles. You had to commit yourself to just riding through them at speed but Murf was struggling and took a nasty fall on his toe edge, throwing him over the highside into a cartwheel. No damage to the body but confidence was shattered. I however found my confidence was soaring as I carved my way down the boneyard, flicking it left and right with ease.
Then it was up the Giant for 5 runs down the Why Not. It was lovely and soft and I found some fresh snow just to the left of the Jumbo T. My first true Fresh Tracks and I slashed my way through there, using the exposed rocks as a slalom course. I was also searching out small lips and rises to bounce off doing forehand slashes that were like surfing on a twin fin!
Last Sunday was the best snow condition I have ever had but today was the best I have ridden and only my low on confidence son was holding me back.
As the sun worked on the hardpack we decided to take a run down the upper freeway which had some uncharted snow to the right just beforfe the High Noon. The snow had released and this run was a flat out racetrack. Skipping around the High Noon and back down the Boneyarrd I had a smile a mile wide. Murphy too was feeling better by this time and wasn't too far behind me. We found freshies on either side of the groomies and just seemed I could go as fast as I dared. Very few people were zooming past me and I really felt I was now in full control.
If the season was to end here I would hang up my board until July next year and live on the last 2 days at Turoa. BUT with 3 weeks still to go I can see at least another 3 days at Ruapehu.
Monday with #2 offspring is now planned. It won't be a day I will get to make many turns but I want one more day on my own before season end.
Freshies for the first time!
Sunday 11th of October
There's been quite a bit of new snow up the Mountain over the week. Sunday and Monday it dumped big time and we caught it in Raetahi with 10cm falling there in a very short time. Wednesday was epic but the weekend weather was marginal with Sunday a possibility.
I headed up to Raetahi on Saturday after, solo for the first time and met Adrian at the camping ground. The Mountain was closed with gale force winds forecast for Sunday :(
8.15 and we rolled into the top carpark as another snow shower drifted across the Mountain. The amount of new snow on the access road was amazing and Turoa looked a picture with a lot more snow coverage than last weekend. But man was it chilly and the wind was blowing. But you could see blue sky approaching as we headed for the Movenpick Chair.
By the time we reached the top of the Movenpick the sun was shining and the wind had dropped.
I bid farewell to Adrian who was off to the advance runs and I headed 'round the High Noon and down the Boneyard. Then back up the Giant chair for several runs down the yahoo. I did find this trail a little hardpacked so I was cautious at the top but midway down found some nice soft snow on the left side to practise my carving. After 4 or so runs I headed back to the base to shed some of my cloths as it was heating up big time. Then back up the Movenpick, Boneyard run onto the Giant. And amazingly I shared a chair with Chantel Smith who I had never met but had talked to via the snow forum and facebook. She suggested we do a couple of runs down the Why Not together and this is when my whole day ... and possibly whole boarding experience changed. She told me to follow her and I explained that she may have to wait a little bit as I was kinda slow. But as soon as I hit my first turn it was powder city!!! This enabled me to string my carving together inturn allowing me to increase my speed. Never once did Chantel get more than 30 or 40 metres ahead of me and by our third run I was confident enough to go faster than I ever had before.
After 3 runs down the Why Not I bid farewell to CS and sat down to send a couple of txts. I then hit the Why Nots for another 3 runs and it was awesome. My final run of the day was shared with Adrian and I was blasting down the hill. He admitted I was ripping (for a newb) and I left the Mountain with a huge grin and alot more skills than I had started with.
This was by far and away the best day I had had on the Mountain since my first introduction in early August. I can now get down the hill as fast as the medium paced traffic and carve easily from left to right. No longer to I have to think about the process required to turn onto my toe edge is just a matter of rotating my shoulders and looking where I want to go. A true water shed day!
There's been quite a bit of new snow up the Mountain over the week. Sunday and Monday it dumped big time and we caught it in Raetahi with 10cm falling there in a very short time. Wednesday was epic but the weekend weather was marginal with Sunday a possibility.
I headed up to Raetahi on Saturday after, solo for the first time and met Adrian at the camping ground. The Mountain was closed with gale force winds forecast for Sunday :(
8.15 and we rolled into the top carpark as another snow shower drifted across the Mountain. The amount of new snow on the access road was amazing and Turoa looked a picture with a lot more snow coverage than last weekend. But man was it chilly and the wind was blowing. But you could see blue sky approaching as we headed for the Movenpick Chair.
By the time we reached the top of the Movenpick the sun was shining and the wind had dropped.
I bid farewell to Adrian who was off to the advance runs and I headed 'round the High Noon and down the Boneyard. Then back up the Giant chair for several runs down the yahoo. I did find this trail a little hardpacked so I was cautious at the top but midway down found some nice soft snow on the left side to practise my carving. After 4 or so runs I headed back to the base to shed some of my cloths as it was heating up big time. Then back up the Movenpick, Boneyard run onto the Giant. And amazingly I shared a chair with Chantel Smith who I had never met but had talked to via the snow forum and facebook. She suggested we do a couple of runs down the Why Not together and this is when my whole day ... and possibly whole boarding experience changed. She told me to follow her and I explained that she may have to wait a little bit as I was kinda slow. But as soon as I hit my first turn it was powder city!!! This enabled me to string my carving together inturn allowing me to increase my speed. Never once did Chantel get more than 30 or 40 metres ahead of me and by our third run I was confident enough to go faster than I ever had before.
After 3 runs down the Why Not I bid farewell to CS and sat down to send a couple of txts. I then hit the Why Nots for another 3 runs and it was awesome. My final run of the day was shared with Adrian and I was blasting down the hill. He admitted I was ripping (for a newb) and I left the Mountain with a huge grin and alot more skills than I had started with.
This was by far and away the best day I had had on the Mountain since my first introduction in early August. I can now get down the hill as fast as the medium paced traffic and carve easily from left to right. No longer to I have to think about the process required to turn onto my toe edge is just a matter of rotating my shoulders and looking where I want to go. A true water shed day!
3 days with the kids
Friday 2nd of October
After 5 days riding over 3 different trips it was time to introduce my seven year old daughter to the wonders of snow and falling off a mountain. Past experience (albiet limited) suggested to me Whakapapa and Happy Valley would be the place for Floss to learn to ski. The weather was dodgy but holding when we arrived at Whakapapa. Vizz was low and you couldn't even see the lower mountain from the Whaka carpark.
So we purchased our lift passes (Spring passes for me and Murphy) and a Discovery lesson for Florence.
Happy Valley turned out to be a slush pit and it rained solidly half way through Floss's lesson without letting up. Floss to her credit managed 2 runs down Happy Valley but after her second ride up the chairlift she fell exiting the lift and wacked her head on the chair. Really was the instructors fault as she should have had Floss on the leftside and all schooled up on how to get off the HV chair. So it was (once again) a less than enjoyable return to Whakapapa as we headed for Raetahi and our Holiday Park Accomodation.
Thankfully the fall and knock on the head didn't deter Florence and she (and us) was amping for the next days snow activity.
Saturday 3rd of October
Turoa was to be our destination from here on in, and in retrospect and now knowing Turoa better I really see little reason to return to Whakapapa for a while. Sure Happy Valley is a primo learning field, but it a big leap from there to the rock garden and even HV can be a little 'fast' for the more timid newbies.
Enter The Alpine Meadow. Now Murphy and I use to bag the Alpine Meadow due to it lack of size and slope but for someone at Floss's level its bloody perfect - unless its icy! Which it was on Saturday morning and Florence just didn't like the lack of friction or the extra speed you get when riding when the trails are still icy. So we headed up the Parklane to base ourselves at the snowflake cafe so me and Murphy could tackle some of the intermediate runs.
Murphy got to go up the Giant and zoom down the lower freeway but my mornings riding was resticted to The Winter Garden. But it was still quite icy and I enjoyed the lack of steeness allowing me to do fast wide open carves all the way to the bottom. And it also meant I had my first go at using a pommer / platter lift. I did fail on my first attemp but subsequent 3 times up were sweet as and I loved being able to sweep down the Winter Garden, zooming past the newbie boarders sitting on their arses.
Things were beginning to soften up due to the bright sunshine so we headed back down to the Alpine Meadow so Floss could do some skiing. And she did :) The AM was nice and slushed up and she was off. I told Murphy to take a run up the Movenpick which took him about 40 minutes and by the time he returned Floss was pretty much zipping down the AM without falling. Then a couple of good snowboarders put a jump/box half way down the Meadow and me and Murphy go to try jumping and grinding for the first time. Was a heap of fun!
Sunday 4th of October
Sunday the weather was beginning to turn for the worse. We did get up the Mountain and Floss got half a dozen runs down the Alpine Meadow before we were wet and cold and decided to call it a day
After 5 days riding over 3 different trips it was time to introduce my seven year old daughter to the wonders of snow and falling off a mountain. Past experience (albiet limited) suggested to me Whakapapa and Happy Valley would be the place for Floss to learn to ski. The weather was dodgy but holding when we arrived at Whakapapa. Vizz was low and you couldn't even see the lower mountain from the Whaka carpark.
So we purchased our lift passes (Spring passes for me and Murphy) and a Discovery lesson for Florence.
Happy Valley turned out to be a slush pit and it rained solidly half way through Floss's lesson without letting up. Floss to her credit managed 2 runs down Happy Valley but after her second ride up the chairlift she fell exiting the lift and wacked her head on the chair. Really was the instructors fault as she should have had Floss on the leftside and all schooled up on how to get off the HV chair. So it was (once again) a less than enjoyable return to Whakapapa as we headed for Raetahi and our Holiday Park Accomodation.
Thankfully the fall and knock on the head didn't deter Florence and she (and us) was amping for the next days snow activity.
Saturday 3rd of October
Turoa was to be our destination from here on in, and in retrospect and now knowing Turoa better I really see little reason to return to Whakapapa for a while. Sure Happy Valley is a primo learning field, but it a big leap from there to the rock garden and even HV can be a little 'fast' for the more timid newbies.
Enter The Alpine Meadow. Now Murphy and I use to bag the Alpine Meadow due to it lack of size and slope but for someone at Floss's level its bloody perfect - unless its icy! Which it was on Saturday morning and Florence just didn't like the lack of friction or the extra speed you get when riding when the trails are still icy. So we headed up the Parklane to base ourselves at the snowflake cafe so me and Murphy could tackle some of the intermediate runs.
Murphy got to go up the Giant and zoom down the lower freeway but my mornings riding was resticted to The Winter Garden. But it was still quite icy and I enjoyed the lack of steeness allowing me to do fast wide open carves all the way to the bottom. And it also meant I had my first go at using a pommer / platter lift. I did fail on my first attemp but subsequent 3 times up were sweet as and I loved being able to sweep down the Winter Garden, zooming past the newbie boarders sitting on their arses.
Things were beginning to soften up due to the bright sunshine so we headed back down to the Alpine Meadow so Floss could do some skiing. And she did :) The AM was nice and slushed up and she was off. I told Murphy to take a run up the Movenpick which took him about 40 minutes and by the time he returned Floss was pretty much zipping down the AM without falling. Then a couple of good snowboarders put a jump/box half way down the Meadow and me and Murphy go to try jumping and grinding for the first time. Was a heap of fun!
Sunday 4th of October
Sunday the weather was beginning to turn for the worse. We did get up the Mountain and Floss got half a dozen runs down the Alpine Meadow before we were wet and cold and decided to call it a day
First time at Turoa
Sunday 20th of September
It was time to try Turoa and time to do a single - day trip. We left at 05.25am and got to the Turoa carpark by 09:15am. I was impressed with the less than four hour drive time considering we had a couple of toilet and food stops along the way.
We glided into carpark 5, changed and walked the short distance to the lift areas. We had already purchased our lift passes at the 'Snow-Centre' so all we had to do was get onboard the Movenpick chair and head on up. We had planned on meeting Adrian (freshtracks) so a quick txt and we headed up the chair.
The terrain looked vastly different to Whakapapa and quite rocky down low but nice and open mid mountain up. A txt back from Freshie and we made plans to meet at the Giant so Murphy and I rode down thru the boneyards run to wait for Adrian. Unfortunalty I had quite a large off half way down and really banged my left forearm and side - **ouch** - . This did have the effect of slowing me down a little because anytime I fell forward I would bang my already tender left forearm. Even a small off was quite painful.
Adrian showed us the Yahoo run that takes you down to the Highflyer chair and we did this 3 or 4 times. It is a really cool trail with a narrow flatish section that allowed me to practice my carving before the first of the 'steps'. Its fair to say I did the falling leaf move down the 2 steeper steps, confidence was very low. And when I did try and carve on the steeper sections I would sometimes catch an edge and can out (again). I was ok once on my toe side edge but flicking between heel and toeside was a bit haphazard.
After 4 runs down Yahoo Adrian showed us down the 'Why Nots' a run with some nice walls and ridges to bounce off. I was still taking it pretty easy nursing my aching and bloody left forearm and sore rump! All the while Murphy was blating ahead - why wait for Dad ahe!
After a break at the snow-flake cafe we were back up the Giant and bombing it down the Boneyard. A great run and one of my favourites at Turoa. After negotiating Clarrys Track to the base area we changed and headed back home. It maybe a 4 hour journey but we beamed all the way home, stoked with our days riding. Certainly the best day so far!!!
It was time to try Turoa and time to do a single - day trip. We left at 05.25am and got to the Turoa carpark by 09:15am. I was impressed with the less than four hour drive time considering we had a couple of toilet and food stops along the way.
We glided into carpark 5, changed and walked the short distance to the lift areas. We had already purchased our lift passes at the 'Snow-Centre' so all we had to do was get onboard the Movenpick chair and head on up. We had planned on meeting Adrian (freshtracks) so a quick txt and we headed up the chair.
The terrain looked vastly different to Whakapapa and quite rocky down low but nice and open mid mountain up. A txt back from Freshie and we made plans to meet at the Giant so Murphy and I rode down thru the boneyards run to wait for Adrian. Unfortunalty I had quite a large off half way down and really banged my left forearm and side - **ouch** - . This did have the effect of slowing me down a little because anytime I fell forward I would bang my already tender left forearm. Even a small off was quite painful.
Adrian showed us the Yahoo run that takes you down to the Highflyer chair and we did this 3 or 4 times. It is a really cool trail with a narrow flatish section that allowed me to practice my carving before the first of the 'steps'. Its fair to say I did the falling leaf move down the 2 steeper steps, confidence was very low. And when I did try and carve on the steeper sections I would sometimes catch an edge and can out (again). I was ok once on my toe side edge but flicking between heel and toeside was a bit haphazard.
After 4 runs down Yahoo Adrian showed us down the 'Why Nots' a run with some nice walls and ridges to bounce off. I was still taking it pretty easy nursing my aching and bloody left forearm and sore rump! All the while Murphy was blating ahead - why wait for Dad ahe!
After a break at the snow-flake cafe we were back up the Giant and bombing it down the Boneyard. A great run and one of my favourites at Turoa. After negotiating Clarrys Track to the base area we changed and headed back home. It maybe a 4 hour journey but we beamed all the way home, stoked with our days riding. Certainly the best day so far!!!
A packed Mountain
5th and 6th of September 2009
The 5th was a bit of a right off. The carparks at Whaka were full by midday so we had to pay for a shuttle to take us to the base area only to be subjected to 25 minute lift queues and a windy mountain. We ended up sheltering in happy valley, doing a few runs down there but the lift queues were still long, so much so it was faster to walk up the valley. I must admit I quite enjoyed the half dozen runs down HV. The gentler slope is allowing me to turn easier and I did some nice big toe ends turns around fallen boarders and skiers.
The 6th we hit it early, got into carpark 2 but had to wait an hour for the lifts to open. But at least the lift queues were manageable and we were soon running down the RG. My first run of the morning resulted in a big off, seriously slamming my left side and denting my confidence. Then the RG lift conked out :(
We both decided to go back to the car for a drink and bite to eat ... and to contemplate our next move.
'Lets head out the the West Ridge' was M's suggestion. And within 30 minutes we had upgraded to All Mountain passes and we heading out on the National Chair towards the west ridge. This chair is a slow decent 2 seater and in places is linked by pylons that span across the top of ridges. Some of the drops were a looooooooooooong way down and it was quite unnerving.
But we made it, only to be confronted with hundreds of people queuing for the West Ridge Quad. 25 minutes later we were on the quad and talking to the other 2 boarders sharing the chair with us. They advised us to try the 'Down Hill Easy' run to the east of the lift line and before you knew it we were strapping on our bindings and flying down a big wide open run. It was still icy in parts but the openness of the run was great as I worked on my carving, working left and right. Murphy took to the steeper slopes like a duck to water and constantly beat me to the bottom.
We did 2 runs before the lift q's got to us so we took the National Chair back to the base area and back to the car. Seeing as it was only 12:20 a quick dash to the office and a $50 refund secured.
The drive home was spent chatting about the 2 days. I must admit to feeling like we hadn't really got as much out of the 2days as could have considering the drive and extra money spent on shuttles etc. It was decided we would try Turoa next!
The 5th was a bit of a right off. The carparks at Whaka were full by midday so we had to pay for a shuttle to take us to the base area only to be subjected to 25 minute lift queues and a windy mountain. We ended up sheltering in happy valley, doing a few runs down there but the lift queues were still long, so much so it was faster to walk up the valley. I must admit I quite enjoyed the half dozen runs down HV. The gentler slope is allowing me to turn easier and I did some nice big toe ends turns around fallen boarders and skiers.
The 6th we hit it early, got into carpark 2 but had to wait an hour for the lifts to open. But at least the lift queues were manageable and we were soon running down the RG. My first run of the morning resulted in a big off, seriously slamming my left side and denting my confidence. Then the RG lift conked out :(
We both decided to go back to the car for a drink and bite to eat ... and to contemplate our next move.
'Lets head out the the West Ridge' was M's suggestion. And within 30 minutes we had upgraded to All Mountain passes and we heading out on the National Chair towards the west ridge. This chair is a slow decent 2 seater and in places is linked by pylons that span across the top of ridges. Some of the drops were a looooooooooooong way down and it was quite unnerving.
But we made it, only to be confronted with hundreds of people queuing for the West Ridge Quad. 25 minutes later we were on the quad and talking to the other 2 boarders sharing the chair with us. They advised us to try the 'Down Hill Easy' run to the east of the lift line and before you knew it we were strapping on our bindings and flying down a big wide open run. It was still icy in parts but the openness of the run was great as I worked on my carving, working left and right. Murphy took to the steeper slopes like a duck to water and constantly beat me to the bottom.
We did 2 runs before the lift q's got to us so we took the National Chair back to the base area and back to the car. Seeing as it was only 12:20 a quick dash to the office and a $50 refund secured.
The drive home was spent chatting about the 2 days. I must admit to feeling like we hadn't really got as much out of the 2days as could have considering the drive and extra money spent on shuttles etc. It was decided we would try Turoa next!
Dawn Patrol
17th of August 2009
Its dawnie time as we both wake earlier, a quick feed of 2 minute noddles and were heading up to Whakapapa again.
Carpark #1 awaits as we slide into the carpark, throw on our gear and head for the slopes. $100 later and we have our lift passes and 10 minutes later we're shuffling across the Hut flat heading for our first run on the freshly groomed Rock Garden.
We get 4 runs in before the crowds start to arrive and by 11:00 its getting pretty chopped up. We head down to LBC for a pie and drink.
Then its back up the Centenial chair for another 3 runs thru the rockgarden. M's looking weary so we decide to call it a day and cash in to get a half day discount.
Its been 2 awesome days on Mt Ruapehu. Only our second time up and we've advanced into the middle mountain slopes and feel pretty damn pleased with ourselves.
Its dawnie time as we both wake earlier, a quick feed of 2 minute noddles and were heading up to Whakapapa again.
Carpark #1 awaits as we slide into the carpark, throw on our gear and head for the slopes. $100 later and we have our lift passes and 10 minutes later we're shuffling across the Hut flat heading for our first run on the freshly groomed Rock Garden.
We get 4 runs in before the crowds start to arrive and by 11:00 its getting pretty chopped up. We head down to LBC for a pie and drink.
Then its back up the Centenial chair for another 3 runs thru the rockgarden. M's looking weary so we decide to call it a day and cash in to get a half day discount.
Its been 2 awesome days on Mt Ruapehu. Only our second time up and we've advanced into the middle mountain slopes and feel pretty damn pleased with ourselves.
Kitted up its back to the Mountain
16th of August 2009
Hooked by the boarding bug I have splashed out on boards and boots for me and Murf. His is a very cool Burton 125 Chopper with Ride bindings and I scored a new 149 Freesport Braxus with new magitec bindings.
Arrived at 09:30 and shunted into carpark 10. Then it took us 20 minutes to get kitted up in our new gear before catching the free shuttle to the base area. Lower Mountain lift passes and its off to Happy Valley with the intention of getting M to stop and turn enough so we can head higher up. Thanksfully HV isn't too packed and we strap up and head down for our first run. The new board feels a bit squirrally first up and the muscles fight to regain the memory learnt 10 days ago.
3 runs into it and we are flying! The boards are now really beginning to feel natural under out feet and I'm getting down without tumbling pretty much each time. M is turning and stopping quite well. We meet up with some people I know off the 'net' who are both experienced boarders and they follow me down HV confirming that I am indeed ready to advance further up. M doesn't have the greatest run so we say goodbye to the pros and head backup for another pass.
Again we're on the chair heading up HV and M announces that he's ready for the Rock Garden. I give it a minute or two thought, watched some boarders negotiate the final part of the Rock Garden trail and decided that the majority were no better than the two of us and it was time.
So up the Centential Chair, across the hut flat and we were on the Intermediate slopes.
My first run was very cautious and I fell a few times. Infact there was one spot I seemed to can out, same place each time. So on the way up on the chair I mapped out my route down the rockgarden and made it down without a fall.
Trying to carve the steeper parts was a real thrill. My heelside turns were great for scrubbing off speed but my toe-edge turns just seemed to be a good excuse to hit mach 10. It was taking real courage to flick to my right but as the day went on I got slowly better at it.
M was struggling with his toe edge so decided to not bother and just turn right in a switch stance. Worked well for him and he was getting down the RG run faster and faster.
Hooked by the boarding bug I have splashed out on boards and boots for me and Murf. His is a very cool Burton 125 Chopper with Ride bindings and I scored a new 149 Freesport Braxus with new magitec bindings.
Arrived at 09:30 and shunted into carpark 10. Then it took us 20 minutes to get kitted up in our new gear before catching the free shuttle to the base area. Lower Mountain lift passes and its off to Happy Valley with the intention of getting M to stop and turn enough so we can head higher up. Thanksfully HV isn't too packed and we strap up and head down for our first run. The new board feels a bit squirrally first up and the muscles fight to regain the memory learnt 10 days ago.
3 runs into it and we are flying! The boards are now really beginning to feel natural under out feet and I'm getting down without tumbling pretty much each time. M is turning and stopping quite well. We meet up with some people I know off the 'net' who are both experienced boarders and they follow me down HV confirming that I am indeed ready to advance further up. M doesn't have the greatest run so we say goodbye to the pros and head backup for another pass.
Again we're on the chair heading up HV and M announces that he's ready for the Rock Garden. I give it a minute or two thought, watched some boarders negotiate the final part of the Rock Garden trail and decided that the majority were no better than the two of us and it was time.
So up the Centential Chair, across the hut flat and we were on the Intermediate slopes.
My first run was very cautious and I fell a few times. Infact there was one spot I seemed to can out, same place each time. So on the way up on the chair I mapped out my route down the rockgarden and made it down without a fall.
Trying to carve the steeper parts was a real thrill. My heelside turns were great for scrubbing off speed but my toe-edge turns just seemed to be a good excuse to hit mach 10. It was taking real courage to flick to my right but as the day went on I got slowly better at it.
M was struggling with his toe edge so decided to not bother and just turn right in a switch stance. Worked well for him and he was getting down the RG run faster and faster.
My first 2 days on the Mountain
Martinborough Senior School Ski trip - Whakapapa ski field Mt Ruapehu, NZ - 5th of August 2009
We finally got all the kids onto the Mountain and kitted out into their skiing and snowbaording gear. It was a zoo of people who decended on Happy Valley, Whakapapas primo dedicated learners slope. The amount of those requiring decovery lessons appeared to have the ski school a little swamped and our instructer, Sven (not his real name) was less than ideal. Anyway, we were taken thru the standard drill of front foot 'skating' and up hill traversing and it seemed we actually didn't have both feet strapped into our bindings until halfway thru the lesson.
Sven went thru the routine of how to slide sideways down the hill using your heel edge and away we went, tumbling down the slope trying to perfect a heel edge turn and stop. My second 'run' resulted in a hard landing on my tailbone and had me wondering why I had foresaken surfing for this cruel winter sport!
But gradually I started to find my feet and found my heel edge enabled me to slow down and turn left when required.
Next was the toe edge turn, a forehand - bottom turn for a surfer. But unlike surfing a toe edge turn for a snowboarder is way more difficult than the heel edge turn. Having to commit yourself to lean into the slope takes confidence but is worth the perseverance because I found turning onto my toe edge also increases your speed, perhaps due to having the board pointing slightly further down the fall line.
After the lesson was complete and I retreated to the cafe for a drink I was still somewhat unsure about this 'snowboard' thing and had the serious fish - out - of -water feeling. My tail bone was very tender and to add to the drama I couldn't find my son who had his discovery lesson in another group.
Finally the lad turned up and we shared a well deserved Mizone drink and a couple of punnets of chips.
Re-fuled we headed for the area by the chairlift for our first un-aided run down the slope together. To my surprise the energy supplied by the food and my now relaxed attitude resulted in improved feel on my snowboard. I was able to get down the valley only falling 2 or 3 times. I could turn onto my heel edge easily now and my toe-edge turns were starting to take shape as well. ANd having my son there to talk about each run on our accent up the chairlift was fantastic.
My son finally retreated to the cafe with $10 from my wallet and I proceeded to do one more run down Happy Valley before the day ended. I decided to start on the right side hugging the lift line initally and then sweep across to the left using the nice dip halfway thru the run. I then flicked onto my toe edge and scooted along the face of the slop all the way over the to pomma line on the far side. back onto my heel edge, sweeping left again down towards the first chairlift pillon and down to the liftline. A big heel-edge stop and I completed my first run without falling off!
I couldn't wipe the smile off my face that evening and the anticipation of the next days boarding was flooding my senses. It was decided due to the average lessons recieved on the first day to put the majority of the kids back thru a discovery lesson, only those who could turn both ways and could stop effectivly were invited to move up the mountain for a 'next-step' lesson. I opted to say at Happy Valley so I could spend the day with my son who hadn't quite mastered the stop and turn procedure.
6th of August 2009
The first hour and a half of the morning was taken up with the repeat discovery lesson. Thankfully our instructor Anna was a huge improvement on our mate Sven and some of the tips she gave were invaluable. I spent a fair amount of time helping the offspring do up his rear binding and carrying his board on the chair.
But we were soon using the lifts with our boards attached and the rate of progression through out the day was rapid. I was constantly getting down the whole run without a tumble and eyeing up the RockGarden intermediate slope. My son however was still doing the bomb the hill, then stop by falling on your butt routine. Thankfully by the end of the day he was getting the heel edge stop sorted and could turn and move around using the heel edge and switch stance heel edge.
The day ended all too soon but we left Ruapehu with ear to ear grins and lots of new skills, vowing to return very soon.
I had such a great time I was already planning on purchasing boarding equipment for me and the boy. To do a sport that is this much fun and involve my kids is very appealing!
We finally got all the kids onto the Mountain and kitted out into their skiing and snowbaording gear. It was a zoo of people who decended on Happy Valley, Whakapapas primo dedicated learners slope. The amount of those requiring decovery lessons appeared to have the ski school a little swamped and our instructer, Sven (not his real name) was less than ideal. Anyway, we were taken thru the standard drill of front foot 'skating' and up hill traversing and it seemed we actually didn't have both feet strapped into our bindings until halfway thru the lesson.
Sven went thru the routine of how to slide sideways down the hill using your heel edge and away we went, tumbling down the slope trying to perfect a heel edge turn and stop. My second 'run' resulted in a hard landing on my tailbone and had me wondering why I had foresaken surfing for this cruel winter sport!
But gradually I started to find my feet and found my heel edge enabled me to slow down and turn left when required.
Next was the toe edge turn, a forehand - bottom turn for a surfer. But unlike surfing a toe edge turn for a snowboarder is way more difficult than the heel edge turn. Having to commit yourself to lean into the slope takes confidence but is worth the perseverance because I found turning onto my toe edge also increases your speed, perhaps due to having the board pointing slightly further down the fall line.
After the lesson was complete and I retreated to the cafe for a drink I was still somewhat unsure about this 'snowboard' thing and had the serious fish - out - of -water feeling. My tail bone was very tender and to add to the drama I couldn't find my son who had his discovery lesson in another group.
Finally the lad turned up and we shared a well deserved Mizone drink and a couple of punnets of chips.
Re-fuled we headed for the area by the chairlift for our first un-aided run down the slope together. To my surprise the energy supplied by the food and my now relaxed attitude resulted in improved feel on my snowboard. I was able to get down the valley only falling 2 or 3 times. I could turn onto my heel edge easily now and my toe-edge turns were starting to take shape as well. ANd having my son there to talk about each run on our accent up the chairlift was fantastic.
My son finally retreated to the cafe with $10 from my wallet and I proceeded to do one more run down Happy Valley before the day ended. I decided to start on the right side hugging the lift line initally and then sweep across to the left using the nice dip halfway thru the run. I then flicked onto my toe edge and scooted along the face of the slop all the way over the to pomma line on the far side. back onto my heel edge, sweeping left again down towards the first chairlift pillon and down to the liftline. A big heel-edge stop and I completed my first run without falling off!
I couldn't wipe the smile off my face that evening and the anticipation of the next days boarding was flooding my senses. It was decided due to the average lessons recieved on the first day to put the majority of the kids back thru a discovery lesson, only those who could turn both ways and could stop effectivly were invited to move up the mountain for a 'next-step' lesson. I opted to say at Happy Valley so I could spend the day with my son who hadn't quite mastered the stop and turn procedure.
6th of August 2009
The first hour and a half of the morning was taken up with the repeat discovery lesson. Thankfully our instructor Anna was a huge improvement on our mate Sven and some of the tips she gave were invaluable. I spent a fair amount of time helping the offspring do up his rear binding and carrying his board on the chair.
But we were soon using the lifts with our boards attached and the rate of progression through out the day was rapid. I was constantly getting down the whole run without a tumble and eyeing up the RockGarden intermediate slope. My son however was still doing the bomb the hill, then stop by falling on your butt routine. Thankfully by the end of the day he was getting the heel edge stop sorted and could turn and move around using the heel edge and switch stance heel edge.
The day ended all too soon but we left Ruapehu with ear to ear grins and lots of new skills, vowing to return very soon.
I had such a great time I was already planning on purchasing boarding equipment for me and the boy. To do a sport that is this much fun and involve my kids is very appealing!
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